The awards represent the latest big investment in a region that received more than $36 billion in direct defense spending in fiscal 2023, according to a recent economic impact report the San Diego Military Advisory Council.
Northrop Grumman will get $543 million to build three MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft for the Navy, as well as an operating base for the high-altitude drones. The Navy has been using this type of aircraft for surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting in the Indo-Pacific.
The company also will build one of the Triton aircraft for the government of Australia, which has been expanding its role as a major ally of the U.S.
In March, President Biden and the leaders of Australia and the United Kingdom appeared together in San Diego to announce that they would jointly work to help Australia to modernize its fleet of submarines.
The Defense Department also says that it is giving $579 million to Kratos Technology & Training Solutions to develop sustain and develop a telemetry, tracking and command system for military communications satellites. The work will be done on behalf of the Space Systems Command in Colorado.
In a smaller but still significant contract, Northrop Grumman will get $36.2 million to perform software engineering for the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command in San Diego.
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